Father Bob to make Australia Day address in Portarlington

PORTARLINGTON will celebrate Australia Day with an address by Father Bob Maguire, followed by a free community fair.

One of Australia’s best-loved priests, the irrepressible Father Bob Maguire AM RFD has devoted his life to upholding the dignity and social rights of our most vulnerable citizens.

Through his many social investments – Open Family Australia, Emerald Hill Mission, Beyond Care and the Father Bob Maguire Foundation – Bob has selflessly helped thousands of people each year.

The free Community Fair will be held on the ground extending from the Portarlington Rotunda and Senior Citizens Club to The Esplanade in Portarlington.

The fair will feature bush poetry, children’s activities, a dog fashion parade, Holden Car Club, Lions Club sausage sizzle, Meet the Pioneers, Melbourne Colonial Dancers, music, Portarlington Fire Brigade display and much more.

Portarlington Community Information Booth President Phil Cameron said it was a pleasure to help organise this celebration of our national day.

Mr Cameron said thanks went to great volunteers and major sponsors – City of Greater Geelong, Portarlington and Drysdale Community Bank, Bellarine Bayside Coastal Management, The Port Report and Portarlington Mussel Festival.

“We look forward to seeing many celebrating the day,” he said.

Father Bob Maguire will make his address on Saturday January 26 at Portarlington’s Senior Citizens Club from 11am, and the free Community Fair will run from 12.15pm until 4.30pm.